August 15, 2015

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Lk 1: 39-56

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Good News

Today we celebrate the Assumption of our Mother Mary into heaven. In the gospel, we see Mary running over the hills to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She is carrying the Good News in her womb and Elizabeth is no longer barren! As soon as Mary enters Zechariah’s house, she greets Elizabeth. The excitement is so great that the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy. We can almost hear the whispers and laughter as Mary narrates her story and praises God for doing great things for her!

Like Mary, we too are called to be missionaries of the Good News. We cannot receive the Good News and simply keep quiet. Moreover, those who receive the Good News from us should also be filled with joy. The Good News of Jesus cannot bring about sorrow, but rather a foretaste of the joy we shall eternally experience when we join our Mother Mary in heaven.

Prayer

My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my savior.God has looked upon his servant in her lowliness;all ages will call me blessed.God who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is God’s name.

—The Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-49)

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August 15, 2015

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Lk 1: 39-56

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Good News

Today we celebrate the Assumption of our Mother Mary into heaven. In the gospel, we see Mary running over the hills to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She is carrying the Good News in her womb and Elizabeth is no longer barren! As soon as Mary enters Zechariah’s house, she greets Elizabeth. The excitement is so great that the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy. We can almost hear the whispers and laughter as Mary narrates her story and praises God for doing great things for her!

Like Mary, we too are called to be missionaries of the Good News. We cannot receive the Good News and simply keep quiet. Moreover, those who receive the Good News from us should also be filled with joy. The Good News of Jesus cannot bring about sorrow, but rather a foretaste of the joy we shall eternally experience when we join our Mother Mary in heaven.

Prayer

My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord;my spirit rejoices in God my savior.God has looked upon his servant in her lowliness;all ages will call me blessed.God who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is God’s name.